A marriage proposal in Borno State led to a fight between locals and visitors, leaving several people injured in the clash.
Police later stepped in to stop the violence and restore peace between the two communities involved in the conflict.
What was meant to be a joyous moment turned violent in Borno State’s Shani Local Government Area after a marriage proposal led to a communal conflict between two communities, resulting in multiple injuries and the destruction of property.
The incident, which unfolded on June 11, 2025, in Bargu community, began when a young man identified as Mamaru from the neighboring Kubo community, accompanied by his friends, visited Bargu to formally propose to 17-year-old Babaliya Hassan, a resident of the area. According to eyewitnesses and security sources , the event initially appeared peaceful, with the young woman laying out a mat in front of her father’s compound a traditional gesture to welcome her suitor’s family and mark the beginning of a potential marital union.
However, tensions quickly erupted when some youths from Bargu opposed the proposal. They expressed anger over what they described as a growing trend of local women being married off to outsiders. Their disapproval stemmed from a belief that the community’s daughters should not be given to non-indigenes. Their protests soon escalated into a heated confrontation between the Bargu youths and the visiting party from Kubo.
Sensing imminent danger, Babaliya retreated into her family compound while Mamaru and his friends retrieved their mats and prepared to leave. The situation seemed to have de-escalated temporarily, but it took a violent turn when the visitors returned to the compound to collect the remaining items they had left behind. Reports allege that Babaliya, in a moment of anger and defiance, struck one of the visitors, Muhammad Isa, with a pestle, causing him serious injuries. Another person, Shuaibu Ali, also sustained minor injuries during the scuffle.
The conflict did not end there. On the following day, which coincided with Bargu’s market day, the news of the assault spread back to Kubo. In what appeared to be a retaliatory move, a group of Kubo youths rode into Bargu on motorcycles, presumably to confront those involved in the previous day’s altercation. Their presence reignited tensions, leading to another violent clash between the two groups.
During the chaos, a man named Friday Lado, who was heading towards the scene on a red Boxer motorcycle, was intercepted by angry youths from Bargu. He was attacked, and his motorcycle was set ablaze. Additionally, six motorcycles belonging to the Kubo youths were seized by Bargu residents, further escalating the situation. A woman, Rukayya Buba, was also caught in the fray and sustained injuries as the conflict spiraled.
The Borno State Police Command swiftly deployed its Crack Squad Tactical Team to the scene to contain the violence and prevent further escalation. The officers restored order and evacuated the injured individuals to the Shani General Hospital for medical attention. Authorities confirmed that the injured victims have since been treated and discharged.
In the aftermath of the incident, the seized motorcycles were handed over to the Shani Police Division for safekeeping as investigations continue into the root cause of the conflict. Community leaders have reportedly begun dialogue efforts to prevent future clashes and maintain peace between Bargu and Kubo residents.
